Breakfast links: Happy groundbreaking day, Purple Line!
Image by UW Health licensed under Creative Commons.
Purple Line construction kicks off today
The groundbreaking for the Purple Line is taking place today at 10:00am in Hyattsville. Both US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Governor Hogan are slated to attend, and will participate in a ceremonial signing of the full funding grant agreement. (Andrew Metcalf / Bethesda Beat)
Purple Line opponents say it ain’t over ‘til it’s over
Opponents of the Purple Line are arguing for holding off on construction until the court case that initially held up the line is completely settled, but supporters say the court's behavior points to a favorable ruling for the light rail line. (Andrew Metcalf / Bethesda Beat)
Metro isn’t completely ready to handle repairs of new railcars
A new report found that Metro isn't able to properly maintain its new 7000-series railcars due to a lack of spare parts, inadequate training, and worker shortages. But Metro is doing some things right, like keep certification records current. (Max Smith / WTOP)
New TSA headquarters will be a boon for Springfield
The Transportation Security Administration will relocate its headquarters from Pentagon City to a new building adjacent to the Franconia-Springfield Metro station. Local leaders say the move could spur development in Springfield. (Jeff Clabaugh / WTOP)
Safeway tries to clean up its act in Ward 7
Safeway did a “super clean” of its Ward 7 store after DC Councilmember Vincent Gray found poor conditions in a impromptu inspection two weeks ago. The company says it also brought a more experienced district manager into the fold. (Anna Spiegel / Washingtonian)
Issues of the day make Fairfax County school board race stand out
Following the events in Charlottesville and national conversations on transgender rights, candidates for an at-large Fairfax County School Board seat have been discussing Confederate school names and bathroom policies. (Moriah Balingit / Post)
Petworth residents wish they had a chance to weigh in on new park
Some residents of southwest Petworth wish that the District had consulted them about plans to turn a triangular lot into a meditation park with benches and a bike rack. The lot is currently used for monthly socials, picnics, and other activities. (Drew Schneider / Petworth News)
Adams Morgan matures from party hub into family-oriented environment
Long-time Adams Morgan residents are glad that the neighborhood is no longer the rowdy party place it once was, and look to a new hotel as a sign of the neighborhood's evolution. But some are worried that the neighborhood's multiculturalism is fading away. (Zak Salih / UrbanTurf)
One-cent sales tax to fund Metro would be hardest on region’s poor
A popular proposal to help fund Metro via a one-cent sales tax would disproportionately hurt the region's poor, according to a new report. Instead, the report calls for the business community and the wealthy to shoulder the commitment. (Faiz Siddiqui / Post)
Dog parks: just another public space or sign of gentrification?
While some long-time residents are happy to see more dog parks in the District, others see them an identifier of gentrification, spaces that don't have the same level of inclusiveness as other public spaces and only tend to be in affluent neighborhoods. (Mary Hui / Post)
Here’s a map of every DC church that’s been converted to something else
As congregations relocate to the suburbs, many old churches in the District have taken on new lives after being converted to condominiums, art galleries, and hotels. Here's a recently-updated map of all conversions. (Curbed DC)
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